President Pranab Mukherjee has given assent to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Ordinance 2017.
It has now cleared the way for resuming kambala (slush track buffalo race) in coastal Karnataka. The Union Home Ministry has also issued the order in this regard.
Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts organise kambala during the period between November and March. Kambala was banned in 2016 after animal rights activists moved the Karnataka High Court.
In February this year, the Karnataka Assembly passed a Bill to put kambala out of the ambit of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
Kambala has been criticised by animal lovers as they perpetuate cruelty due to the use of whips on the racing buffaloes.
Noted animal-rights activist and now minister in union government Mrs. Maneka Gandhi has expressed serious concerns about the ill treatment of buffaloes during the race.
Kambala organisers, on their part, contend that if whips are not used on the buffaloes, they may not run with speed in the race.